Parese: Chimney fire set Decker Road blaze

Multiple fire departments responded to a structure fire at 281 Decker Rd. on Thursday afternoon. Firefighters from Little Falls, East Herkimer, German Flatts and Mohawk were called to the scene at 3:01 p.m.

Little Falls Fire Chief Rob Parese on Friday said while arriving on scene at 3:20 p.m. heavy smoke and flames could be seen inside the two story home.

Multiple fire departments responded to a structure fire at 281 Decker Rd. on Thursday afternoon. Firefighters from Little Falls, East Herkimer, German Flatts and Mohawk were called to the scene at 3:01 p.m.

Little Falls Fire Chief Rob Parese on Friday said while arriving on scene at 3:20 p.m. heavy smoke and flames could be seen inside the two story home.

Due to a lack of hydrants, tankers were brought in from East Herkimer, German Flatts, Mohawk and Van Hornesville which helped to shuttle water to the site from a nearby fill station.

According to Parese, the tanker station was used once to help extinguish the fire.

Little Falls had two fire engines, an EMT truck and an ambulance on site. The Herkimer Fire Department and MOVAC stood by at the Little Falls station while crews battled the fire.

“The fire was an extensive overhaul,” said Parese.

After 40 minutes of battling the blaze, the fire was brought under control.

At 7:30 p.m., the Little Falls Fire Department returned to service.

Parese said the homeowners were home at the time of the fire, but made it out safely before responders arrived, adding there were no injuries.

The cause, he said, was due to a chimney fire.

“The fire made its way up the chimney and got into the walls, damaging the second floor and attic, as well as a significant amount of water damage throughout the structure,” said Parese.

Parese said this year there has not been too many chimney fires, but it’s always a good idea to keep chimneys inspected and cleaned. “It’s also a good idea to make sure smoke detectors have batteries and are working correctly,” he said.